Huge majority helps BJP tackle dissent in Uttarakhand

The discontent in the BJP is also due to the adjustment of five Congress rebel leaders in the Rawat Cabinet

When Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah came to Dehradun for a two-day visit in September, speculation was rife that Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat would soon fill the two vacant Cabinet berths with the former’s consent. But nothing happened despite Shah’s assertion that both the CM and state BJP chief Ajay Bhatt should settle the issue together. After Shah went back to New Delhi, Rawat did not show any enthusiasm to elevate two more MLAs, leaving some BJP MLAs fuming.
 
Even in the corridors of power, one can clearly hear whispers of discontent, which is brewing among many aspirants who have set their eyes on Cabinet berths.
 
The BJP scored a landslide victory in the Assembly elections early this year, winning 57 seats in the 70-member House. After a 10-member Cabinet under Rawat was sworn in in March, dozens of BJP MLAs such as Harbans Kapoor, eight-time legislator from Dehradun and a former Speaker, were optimistic that they would get a Cabinet berth owing to their seniority. Kapoor is sulking though he has not commented on the issue. But scores of Kapoor’s supporters have aired their anger.
 
Similarly, Munna Singh Chauhan is a very senior legislator from the Vikasnagar area of Dehradun district. Just like Kapoor, Chauhan is also optimistic that he would get a Cabinet berth as and when the expansion took place. Pushkar Singh Dhami, an MLA from Khatima, has staked his claim. A section of the media has also floated the name of Dhami, a close confidant of former chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.
 
The discontent in the party is also due to the adjustment of five Congress rebel leaders in the Rawat Cabinet. These leaders are Satpal Maharaj, Yashpal Arya, Harak Singh Rawat, Subodh Unniyal, and Rekha Arya, who are holding key portfolios in the ministry. “The BJP scored a resounding victory in the elections due to our hard labour. But when it came to Cabinet berths, the key posts went to Congress rebels,” said a sulking BJP MLA.
 
Rawat is keeping a close watch on the developments. Interestingly, a decade ago, Rawat himself was at the forefront of an “oust
 
B C Khanduri” campaign unleashed by the Koshiyari group. Sources close to Rawat say it is very difficult to smooth the ruffled feathers of these MLAs. “Of the 57 MLAs, 10 have got a Cabinet berth. But it is now very difficult to choose among the remaining 47. As of now, the issue has been put on the backburner,” said a senior Cabinet minister.
 

In order to appease the MLAs and party workers, State Parliamentary Minister Prakash Pant indicated that talks were on to give ministerial-level posts in state boards and corporations to some MLAs. “I can only say talks are on,” said Pant. Some say such posts will be distributed early new year. But there is no confirmation as such from the CM so far.
 
But Bhatt is confident. “We will certainly provide such posts to our party workers and MLAs. But we have not prepared any list so far and we can’t say when these posts will be distributed,” said Bhatt. However, Bhatt denied media reports on any kind of dissent in the party.
 
Unlike previous occasions, when discontent forced the central leadership to go for a change of guard in the state, the odds are not against Rawat this time because of the heavy majority of the BJP. “Rawat is batting in very favourable conditions,” said a senior party leader.
 
So far, the CM has not made any bold decisions on other matters such as the permanent capital, Lokayukta, and the law on transfers of officials. This is also causing rumbling in the party. Rawat is not too keen on solving the permanent capital issue. Recently, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Prem Chand Agarwal caused a stir by asking the government to settle the Gairsain (capital) issue, which is considered to be a politically sensitive matter.
 
On the other hand, former chief minister B C Khanduri is also annoyed at the delay in passing the Lokayukta law. He wants a strong Lokayukta in the state. The Lokayukta being considered in the assembly is weak, according to Khanduri.